"The Natural Healing Force within each of us is the Greatest Force in getting well"
Hippocrates
Ancient Healing Techniques have been around for thousands of years. But, research is newly beginning to recognize the measurable benefits. New Age practitioners are on the rise. The New Age trend's popularity has made it to mainstream media. Reality stars', influencers', buzz words - it's understandable reservations exist about the benefits.
Where to Begin...? Let's Start with Yoga!
Chronic Stress is one of the leading causes of dis-ease and disease in modern times. I'm sure there was a fair share of stress ailments chronicled throughout history, as well! We live high paced lives, lack proper nutrition, do not utilize the benefits of earthing our physical body..
The practice of balancing mind, body, spirit to de-stress the energy body is not new. Yoga, an ancient practice from northern India, benefits a wide range of ailments, and the proof is in the research.
More than 20 Million Americans' practice some form of yoga. In controlled studies across the United States ( and abroad) there is repeatable and measurable benefits! That is why it's an industry worth over ten billion a year ( I gander that is also why studies have occurred , for profit).
The American Journal of Managed Care reported a presentation at the American Diabetes Association supporting the benefits of restorative yoga. The evidence-based study showed it helped overweight women reduce subcutaneous fat.
For newly found interest in ancient healing, the research for scientific evidence is only just beginning!
Tia Chi
This ancient Chinese martial art and guided meditation, is calming, and packed full of
benefits!
Like yoga, the movements focus on mindful breath, and keep attention focused. The theory of practice is that it unlocks the body's qi (life force) and encourages energy flow.
Studies have built a compelling case the medicinal use of this ancient practice. Ti Chi is used to improve the quality of life in breast cancer patients. This can be extended to any longterm palliative
care patients' overall quality of life. The use of Ti Chi is considered as a serious contender for treatment of bone density, and as we learned above, bone strength. In cases of pain in osteoarthritis, Ti Chi has improve range of movement and reduction of pain.
Peter M. Wayne, professor at Harvard Medical School, researched Ti Chi as a mind, body study and said, " A growing body of carefully studied research is building a compelling case for ti chi as an adjunct to standard medical treatment for the prevention and rehabilitation of many conditions commonly associated with age."
Acupuncture
The research comes out swinging for this ancient Chinese healing practice.
Another ancient Chinese medicine; Acupuncture dates back approximately 2500 years. One of the most fascinating points in modern and ancient practice is how relatively unchanged the practice is from ancient times. The 12 main tracts (meridians) have remained relatively unchanged for over 2000 years. In the last two and a half decades, popularity has really soared for this ancient healing practice. Demand brought the pressure to the scientific community to explore the fact based knowledge behind Acupuncture, and in doing so, many more meridians have been discovered.
Much like Ti Chi, Acupuncture unlocks the life force (qi) and promotes the proper flow by stimulating muscles, nerves , and connective tissue in meridians throughout the body.
Research does suggest treatment can be useful for headaches, back pain, depression, nausea, rheumatoid arthritis, and other conditions.
Because language has been a barrier, there are more than one name for many of the meridian points. This has been recognized by the WHO and committees have formed over the last two decades to bridge this gap. Research is ongoing, but Acupuncture is widely accepted as a natural health care delivery system.
Reiki
This is one I have been watching for the past 12 or more years! It has not always been very informative, with studies being contradictory, flawed, and generally inconsistent. But, like the others, research is still relatively new and at an infant stage. I am proud to say there is a light at the end of this tunnel.
Reiki is a complimentary health approach, according to the National Center for Complimentary and Integrative Health. Their bottom line is that Reiki has not proven to be effective. While many practitioners, like myself, strongly disagree ( personally speaking ). However, now there is more conclusive data that is strong, thanks to Dr. Natalie Trent, a Harvard University researcher, and the Center for Reiki Research. The findings conclude the same results as the above
mentioned holistic health studies.
" A study from Harvard University reported that a single session of Reiki significantly reduced pain, anxiety, depression, nausea and fatigue" ~ Dr. Natalie Trent
Reiki is not necessarily"ancient", it was developed in the 1920's by Mikao Usui in Japan. For the sake of this blog post, I will include Reiki because the awareness of the etheric body itself is an ancient knowledge.
As a practitioner, I know the power of Reiki can result in sizable shifts in human transformation. I also know as a principle, the self cultivation of healing energy is essential. Clients seeking help can be assisted by myself, through intentions. I think this has always influenced the results, in theory.
